The Hobby Boards

@topps releases this year's Big League Influencer Inserts for 2024!

Here are the influencers: @doctorcollectible @strykerbreaks
@chicitypulls @breakswithjess @jabs_family

Last year we had Ge-Off Wilson, Ryan from cardcollector2, etc..

While it's a decent idea to potentially gain some additional interest in a low end release like Big League, I have to wonder how these individuals get picked for this.. I've heard of Jabs family simply because Sports Card Radio has talked about him in the past, but have never even heard of the others. They look to mainly be breakers..

It kind of makes sense for Fanatics to include breakers since that's what they're pushing now. Maybe just my opinion, but I can think of a lot more people who have been around the hobby for a lot longer who are more deserving of a card. Pretty sure 4/5 of these people just joined the hobby in 2020.



I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter all that much but it does kind of show you the direction Fanatics is heading with their marketing.

I think it's all shit really. I don't give a rat's ass about any sports card influencer. Thank you.

kingofsnake wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 1:15 am I think it's all shit really. I don't give a rat's ass about any sports card influencer. Thank you.

Yeah I agree, does nothing for me either.

I figured it could be an interesting discussion given Fanatics seems to be partnering with a lot of these people and what that looks like for the future of the “hobby”. Which I guess is kind of depressing tbh since it looks to focused more on breakers and clout chasers more than anything else at this point.

It's odd to me that this would move the needle for anyone. Who would want these cards? Kids? Do kids (or anyone) view these people as celebrities? But definitely representative that last year seems to be mostly investing/flipping figures and this year is breakers. To each their own, but would be just odd to me for this to appeal to anyone

SacKingsCards wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:02 am It's odd to me that this would move the needle for anyone. Who would want these cards? Kids? Do kids (or anyone) view these people as celebrities? But definitely representative that last year seems to be mostly investing/flipping figures and this year is breakers. To each their own, but would be just odd to me for this to appeal to anyone

I mean, despite the guy being a tool, Geoff Wilson definitely has a following at this point. Same with cardcollector2 who I find to be 100x more likeable than Geoff. I've seen their cards actually sell on eBay so there seems to be at least some of the hobby interested their cards. The people they picked this year just seem random and not that well thought out. I don't see any of them moving the needle as far as interest goes.

At the end of the day it's clearly just a gimmick to gain some buzz and maybe sell some more boxes of a low end product. I would imagine no one here is chasing any of this stuff, but the direction Fanatics is going seems pretty clear at this point. Hype the breakers and try and drive more gambling to the hobby.

mindcycle wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:57 pm
I mean, despite the guy being a tool, Geoff Wilson definitely has a following at this point. Same with cardcollector2 who I find to be 100x more likeable than Geoff. I've seen their cards actually sell on eBay so there seems to be at least some of the hobby interested their cards. The people they picked this year just seem random and not that well thought out. I don't see any of them moving the needle as far as interest goes.

At the end of the day it's clearly just a gimmick to gain some buzz and maybe sell some more boxes of a low end product. I would imagine no one here is chasing any of this stuff, but the direction Fanatics is going seems pretty clear at this point. Hype the breakers and try and drive more gambling to the hobby.

Totally agree about the direction Fanatics is going. They care about promoting hobby entrepreneurship, not collecting. Not that it hasn't been widespread that way for a while now. I understand what you're saying about the Geoffs and Ryans of the world as opposed to the breakers, but in either case I don't understand the hobby celebrity thing as a whole. Not sure why any collectors, flippers, investors, etc are celebrities to people

SacKingsCards wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:59 pmNot sure why any collectors, flippers, investors, etc are celebrities to people

THIS!

The whole "influencer" thing is so stupid. Everyone is an individual with both positives and negatives. Putting people on a pedestal is insanely dumb.

FrankAZHP wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:16 pmTHIS!

The whole "influencer" thing is so stupid. Everyone is an individual with both positives and negatives. Putting people on a pedestal is insanely dumb.

Well, and for what?

SCI puts YouTube videos with investment/flipping advice, then expanded to card vlogs, interviews, hobby shop, etc.
CC2 owns a shop, tours the nation's card shows buying cards and collections to resell
Breakers just open packs for people
The CardLadder people own expensive cards, made a paid market tracking app that focuses on cards they think matter, and just speak their mind about cards, which people seem to care about

I just don't get why anyone cares about any of these people's card activities or opinions lol

The most eye rolling additions to Topps Big League the past couple of years. It's bad enough these clowns get treated like celebrities within the hobby, giving them their own cards is just another way to boost their egos

FrankAZHP wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:16 pm

SacKingsCards wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:59 pmNot sure why any collectors, flippers, investors, etc are celebrities to people

THIS!

The whole "influencer" thing is so stupid.

I don't think so

vickiiyy wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:24 am

FrankAZHP wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:16 pm

SacKingsCards wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:59 pmNot sure why any collectors, flippers, investors, etc are celebrities to people

THIS!

The whole "influencer" thing is so stupid.

I don't think so

Would be interesting to hear a counter point. Let us know your thoughts when you have a chance.

mindcycle wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:24 amWould be interesting to hear a counter point. Let us know your thoughts when you have a chance.

My guess: It's a bot

Screw these Topps Big League influencer cards in packs. I made my own damn card with a total print run of 1000 and the 1984 Topps Football design. I laugh at it and think it's kinda funny as I don't really have the ego I had in my 20s to fully appreciate them, but people get a kick out of them, and it's generally been fun giving them away.

When I was considering making a business card for my YT/IG I decided to just add an extra 1/2 inch and do a trading card instead and it works as double duty.

Print run breakdown (so far):
Black Ink Autos (not numbered - rough estimate print run of 600)
200 Green Ink Autos (hand numbered /200)
100 Blue Ink Autos (hand numbered /100)
50 Gold Ink Autos (hand numbered /50)
25 Orange Ink Autos (hand numbered /25)
5 Red Ink Autos (hand numbered /5)
1 Textured Gold Black Ink Auto (hand numbered /1)








Back is same on all cards:


I sent a few to @dengbeng when I sold him a Totally Certified card (which he still hasn't posted here on HB like he told me he would)
A few of them sold on eBay (I think from people I met at Arizona State Card Show back in Nov 2023). No idea who the seller or buyer was.


Am I an "influencer" now?

lolololol

Those are great Frank! I'd rather have you as an influencer over all the "collectors" that Topps is promoting. I bet you have more card knowledge in your pinky than all of them combined.

Ah haha, nice. I like the simulated superfractor design too lol

Nice guns